New Zealand Cricket. (Source – Getty Images)
New Zealand created history as they became the first team to whitewash India at their home since 2000. They managed to beat India by 25 runs and clinch the Test series 3-0 in Mumbai. India were provided a meagre target of 147 and though they started on a positive note, one wicket led to another before India slipped to a third consecutive defeat in the series.
Rohit Sharma departed scoring 11 runs while Shubman Gill played just four balls scoring one runs and was cleaned up by Ajaz Patel. Virat Kohli continued his struggle and fell to Patel’s spin again, contributing just one. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan followed suit, scoring five and one as India were reeling on 29 losing five wickets.
Rishabh Pant was joined by Ravindra Jadeja in the middle and the duo stitched a 42-run stand for the sixth wicket to restore sanity. However, just when things were slightly settled, Jadeja was undone by Patel Soon afterwards, a well-set Pant trudged back scoring 64 runs off just 57 balls after being adjudged out in a controversial manner. Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin had 41 runs to score and avoid India a whitewash but Ashwin and Akash Deep fell back to back Glenn Phillips and Patel.
Ajaz Patel picks 11 wicket haul in Mumbai
India were 121/9 after Akash Deep’s wicket and just two balls later Patel dislodged Sundar’s timber to orchestrate the biggest heist in almost three decades on Indian soil. For New Zealand, Patel dazzled with six wickets and was well supported by Phillips, who picked three wickets. For India, other than Pant’s 64, no other batter crossed even 15-run mark and moreover, seven batters were dismissed for a single digit score including a duck.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to New Zealand’s historic win:
No praise high enough for this achievement from NZ. Possibly the greatest moment in NZ Cricket history. They outplayed India in every department in the toughest place to come and win, and deserve all the accolades and respect. Well played @BLACKCAPS 👏🏻👏🏻 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/P26qa1oE89
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 3, 2024
Amazing from New Zealand. A population of less than 6 million. No Kane Williamson. They have conquered an unenviable task, and both men’s and women’s teams have had an historic and proud few weeks.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) November 3, 2024
A once in a lifetime kind of win for New Zealand!🇳🇿👏
From being whitewashed in Sri Lanka to whitewashing India, just WOW. What a turnaround by the Kiwis!
A historic moment in New Zealand cricket history!🏆 #INDvNZ— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) November 3, 2024
New Zealand has made history in Wankhede! India has been whitewashed despite fighting back. Pant tried his best to keep India in the game, but New Zealand proved to be the better side today 💯 .#INDvsNZ #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/oIVvVYHdjC
— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) November 3, 2024
Had a solid conversation with @iamyusufpathan bhai yesterday. He made a valid point about domestic cricket – we’re either playing on grassy pitches or flat tracks, but rarely on turning surfaces anymore. Plus, top players aren’t playing domestic cricket. This could hurt us in the…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 3, 2024
Will @BLACKCAPS finally allow the NZ fans to celebrate @AjazP and his Mumbai achievements in NZ? Surely pick him as 13th man if you do want to play him vs England!!! @TheACCnz @SENZ_Radio
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) November 3, 2024
And with that we come to the end of a long phase of rank turners in India.#INDvNZ
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 3, 2024
Arguably @BLACKCAPS best win of all time. Unbelievable
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) November 3, 2024
To win in India is incredible but to deliver a clean sweep is remarkable … has to be the greatest ever Test series victory … India now have a group of Batters that struggle like most teams against Spin … #INDWvNZW
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 3, 2024
Great series win for New Zealand,incredible performance!
India will go to Australia with a massive point to prove!#INDvNZ— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) November 3, 2024